Islam

Iraq has entered a delicate period as United States forces begin withdrawing from the country, with Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani's government facing pressure to contain armed factions and prevent a resurgence of extremist groups. Al Jazeera reports the withdrawal marks a high-stakes balancing act, as Baghdad must manage relations with Washington while addressing internal security threats from militias and remnants of the Islamic State.

The United States has completed the withdrawal of its troops from Iraq, ending a deployment that began in 2014 to fight Islamic State extremists. The move closes out a more than ten-year military presence in the country, and reactions are circulating about what the departure means for regional security.

The final British and American troops have left Iraq, marking the end of the anti-Islamic State mission there. The withdrawal closes a military chapter that began in 2014 with the coalition formed to defeat the jihadist group, and comes as Iraq moves toward a different security relationship with Western partners.

The U.S. military has formally declared the end of Operation Inherent Resolve, the mission launched in 2014 to lead the coalition campaign against Islamic State forces in Iraq. The announcement marks a significant shift in the American military presence in the country, though questions remain about the future footprint of U.S. forces and continued counter-ISIS cooperation with Iraqi security forces.

An analysis published on Fulcrum examines how Malaysia's Islamic party PAS is changing its international engagement, moving from a traditionally Islamist, pan-Islamic outlook toward a more pragmatic focus on development diplomacy. The piece raises the question of whether the shift is genuine repositioning or a rebranding, and what it means for PAS's role in Malaysian foreign policy debates as the party remains a major political force.

The United States has ended its military presence in Iraq, closing a 23-year chapter that began with the 2003 invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein. A timeline published by Anadolu Agency traces the American deployment from the invasion through the fight against the Islamic State to the final withdrawal. Reaction so far has focused on what the departure means for Iraq's stability and the wider region.

Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad and the faction of exiled Fatah strongman Mohammed Dahlan have formed a joint electoral coalition ahead of Palestinian Legislative Council elections. The alliance unites rivals of Mahmoud Abbas's dominant Fatah mainstream, and observers are weighing what the unusual partnership means for the first Palestinian elections in years and the balance of power.

Hamas, Islamic Jihad and the faction of Mohammed Dahlan have reportedly formed an electoral alliance to challenge Fatah in elections set for November 28. The alliance says it wants to expand participation and attract independent figures to its list. All members share opposition to Palestinian Authority leadership under Mahmoud Abbas, making the pact a direct challenge to Fatah's dominance.

Cricket's President's Trophy Grade-I tournament has scheduled its 14th match for Islamabad, running from September 30 to October 3, 2026. The fixture is part of Pakistan's domestic first-class competition, which brings together departmental and regional teams. Details on the two sides contesting the match have not yet been announced.

A Pakistani cleric who previously honoured Osama bin Laden has denounced Yemen's Houthi movement, calling them 'terrorists with no connection to Islam'. The statement is drawing attention given the cleric's own past praise for bin Laden, with critics highlighting the contradiction and others debating the religious and political weight of his verdict on the Iran-aligned group.

Florida has officially designated the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) as a domestic terrorist organization, according to a report by JNS.org. The move places a prominent national Muslim civil rights group on a state terror list, a step that is expected to draw legal challenges and criticism from civil liberties advocates while being welcomed by supporters of tougher measures.

The Gaza tribunal's findings and developments since its final session in Istanbul are set to be revisited in Konya on Wednesday, as part of a Palestine Day program organized by the Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum. The event is expected to draw attention to accountability efforts over the Gaza conflict, with discussion framed around human rights, international law and security policy themes.

American forces are withdrawing from Iraq, and analysts warn the departure risks strengthening Iran-aligned armed groups and Islamic State remnants in the country. The exit marks a significant shift in the US military presence in the Middle East, raising questions about Iraq's security stability and the balance of power with Tehran-aligned militias operating across the region.